Einstein by Epstein at the Walker

Albert Einstein, whose theory of relativity celebrates its centenary this year, is included in a display of five bronze portrait busts by pioneering sculptor Jacob Epstein at the Walker Art Gallery from 27 August 2005.
Einstein posed for the bust – an outstanding example of Epstein’s celebrity portraiture – at a refugee camp in Cromer, Norfolk, in 1933 shortly after fleeing Nazi GermanyAll but one of the busts on display are from the Walker’s collections. Along with Einstein’s, they are:

Israfel, inspired by a poem of the same name by Edgar Allen Poe;
Sonia, a woman the artist saw in a Regent’s Park tea garden and asked to pose for him;
Man of Aran (‘Tiger’ King), Colman King star of the classic documentary film Man of Aran;
Deidre, a portrait of Epstein’s cook and housekeeper (normally at the Lady Lever Art Gallery).

The display, which runs until early spring 2006, has been organised as part of the celebrations for the European Day of Jewish Culture & Heritage (4 September 2005).

Author Paul O’Keeffe will be giving a free 45-minute talk on Epstein at 1400 hours on Sunday 4 September 2005 at the WalkerLink